Reusable children&#39;s drinking cup

ABSTRACT

A reusable drinking cup for use by children including either a hammered textured pattern extending around at least a portion of the annular side wall portion of the drinking cup, or a gripping member extending around at least a portion of the annular side wall portion of the cup for enabling children to better grip the cup. The present cup can likewise include at least one viewing window positioned intermediate the top and bottom portions of the cup for ascertaining the fluid level of the liquid contained within the cup. In one embodiment, the at least one viewing window can be an elongated vertically extending window in the form of an elongated slot and, in another embodiment, the at least one viewing window can include a plurality of vertically extending spaced windows or cut-outs which are positioned and arranged intermediate the top and bottom portions of the cup at predetermined locations therebetween. The present cup can likewise include a flared bottom portion which functions as an anti-roll member to help prevent accidental spillage of the contents within the cup.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reusable drinking cup for childrenand, more particularly, to a reusable drinking cup with improvedgripping means for children, a viewing window or cut-outs associatedwith the side wall of the cup for ascertaining the fluid level withinthe cup, and an anti-roll feature to help prevent accidental spillage ofthe contents within the cup.

Small children routinely have difficulty in holding drinking cups,particularly in a restaurant environment. Most drinking cups provided ina restaurant environment for children are made of smooth or slickplastic and, depending upon the size of a child's hand, may be difficultto grasp and hold with one or both hands. Besides easily gripping asmooth or slick cup, children also have the tendency to accidentallyknock over a particular cup when placed in front of them on a table orin a booster seat or high chair environment. Also, unless the cup istransparent, it is oftentimes difficult for both parents and a child toascertain the fluid level within the cup as most children's drinkingcups are provided with attachable lids to further prevent spillage.

It is therefore desirable to provide a children's drinking cup whichincludes improved gripping means for allowing a small child to easilygrip and hold the cup, which includes viewing windows for allowing boththe child and a parent to easily ascertain the fluid level within thecup without removing the associated lid, and which includes an anti-rollfeature at the bottom the cup which helps to prevent rolling off oftabletops and also accidental spillage due to a child inadvertentlyknocking over the drinking cup when placed within reach.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved drinkingcup for children which overcomes one or more of the problems set forthabove.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitationsof the prior art devices discussed above and teaches the constructionand use of several embodiments of a reusable drinking cup for childrenwhich includes improved gripping means, viewing windows for ascertainingthe fluid level within the cup, and an anti-roll flange located at thebottom of the cup to help to stabilize the cup and prevent accidentalknock-over and rolling away of the cup.

In one aspect of the present invention, the present cup includes ahammered texture associated with at least the gripping portion of thecup to help facilitate gripping of the cup by small children. Thehammered texture eliminates the smooth or slick surface typicallyassociated with a drinking up and provides a plurality of indentationsor dimples for enabling the fingers of a small child to easily grip thecup with one or both hands. The actual size of fingertip impressions ofchildren ages 1 to 5 was used to form the design of the hammered texturepattern in the preferred embodiment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the hammered texturedcup includes an elongated, vertically positioned transparent window forallowing both a child and a parent to easily ascertain the fluid levelwithin the cup without physically removing a lid which is typicallyassociated with a children's cup.

In another embodiment, the fluid level viewing window associated withthe hammered textured cup may take the form of a plurality of verticallyspaced windows, or cut-outs, each window or cut-out having a uniqueshape such as the shape of a diamond, a fish, other animal characters,abstract shapes and the like. In addition, the plurality of verticallyspaced windows or cut-outs can be either vertically aligned or staggeredaround the side wall of the cup.

Still further, in another embodiment, the present reusable cup mayinclude an optional gripping member extending around at least a portionof the outer surface of the cup for likewise improving the grippingfeature of the cup. This gripping member can be attached to or formedover the hammered texture of the side wall to improve the attachabilityand secureness of the gripping member to the outer surface of thereusable cup.

In another embodiment, an elongated vertically extending viewing windowcan also be associated with the gripping member such that both a childor a parent can view the fluid level in the cup through the grippingmember and through the side wall of the present cup.

In still another embodiment, the fluid level viewing window associatedwith the gripping member can likewise include a plurality of verticallyspaced windows or cut-outs, each window or cut-out taking on aparticular shape or configuration. The plurality of vertically spacedwindows can be positioned in vertical alignment with each other, or theycan be staggered around the outer surface of the present cup.

In still another embodiment, any or all of the various embodiments ofthe present reusable cup can include an anti-roll feature in the form ofa flared bottom or flange associated with the bottom portion of the cupto provide greater stability to the cup in its upright position and tohelp prevent the present cup from being easily tipped over by a smallchild. If a cup is actually tipped, this same feature can prevent thecup from rolling off a tabletop and impacting a floor, whereupon thefluid contents within the cup would be more likely to spill due to theimpact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present reusablecup constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention showing a hammered texture pattern associated with at least aportion of the side wall of the cup.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentreusable cup of FIG. 1 showing an elongated vertical window for viewingthe fluid level within the cup.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the viewing windowof FIG. 2 wherein the viewing window includes a plurality of verticallyspaced windows or cut-outs, each window being configured in the shape ofa fish.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the presentreusable cup constructed according to the teachings of the presentinvention wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the cupincludes a gripping member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the reusable cupof FIG. 4 including an elongated vertical window positioned and locatedon the gripping member for ascertaining the fluid level within the cup.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the viewing windowof FIG. 5 wherein the viewing window includes a plurality of verticallyspaced windows or cut-outs each in the form of a diamond.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the presentreusable cup wherein the hammered textured cup of FIG. 1 includes ananti-roll feature associated with the bottom end portion thereof.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the presentreusable cup of FIG. 5 including an anti-roll feature associated withthe bottom end portion of the cup.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe present reusable cup of FIG. 1 constructed according to theteachings of the present invention including an attachable and removablegripping member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers whereinlike numerals refer to like parts, number 10 in FIG. 1 identifies oneembodiment of a reusable children's cup having an annular side wallportion 12, a bottom wall portion 14 and an upper portion 16, the upperportion 16 including an opening 18 providing access to the cavity of thecup 10 as well as an upper lip or flange portion 20. The upper flange 20can be shaped and configured so as to be compatible with any one of aplurality of lids which can be attached to the cup 10 to contain thecontents received within the cup 10. The lid (not shown) iscooperatively engageable with the upper flange 20 and may include anopening for receiving a straw therethrough, or a spout for providingaccess to the liquid contained therein for use by a small child.

The outer surface of the annular side wall portion 12 includes ahammered textured pattern 22 which covers at least a portion of the sidewall 12 for improving the gripability of the cup. The hammered texturedpattern 22 includes a plurality of indentations, depressions or dimples24 which form a plurality of ridges 26 surrounding the indentations 24and the pattern 22 provides a roughened surface as compared to a smoothor slick side wall surface typically associated with a drinking cup. Thehammered textured outer wall surface 22 allows the small fingers of achild to more easily grasp the cup and likewise the texture helps toprevent the cup from sliding through the fingers of a child. Thehammered texture can include a plurality of uniformly spaced ridges andindentations or it can include a random pattern. The hammered texturedpattern 22 can be formed by a mold or other suitable manufacturingprocess. The hammered textured pattern 22 gives the impression of adimpled look to the outer wall 12 of the cup. The hammered texturedpattern 22 can likewise take the form of crater-like depressions thatappear to be made by a hammer and resemble hammer indentations on thesurface. Any surface texture in the form of a plurality of smallindentations, dimples, or depressions falls within the definition of ahammered texture.

The annular side wall portion 12 of the cup 10 further includes at leastone ridge or ledge portion 27 which serves several functions includingseparating the hammered textured pattern 22 from the upper smoothportion or untextured portion of the annular side wall 12 as bestillustrated in FIGS. 1-3. In one application, the at least one ridge orledge portion 27 functions to make it easier for a child or other personto hold the cup 10 with a loose or weak grip without the cup slidingthrough the user's hand. The ridge or ledge portion 27 is also used toseparate a smooth, printable upper side wall portion 13 from thehammered textured pattern 22. This allows the cup maker to place printedmaterial on the smooth or untextured upper side wall portion 13 whilestill having a textured pattern 22 for improving the gripability of thecup. The ridge or ledge portion 27 also functions to receive a slidablyattachable and removable gripping member 54 as illustrated in FIG. 9which will be hereinafter further explained. Although the variousembodiments of the present cup illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 7 disclosethe use of a single ridge or ledge portion 27, it is recognized andanticipated that any plurality of ridges or ledges 27 can be associatedwith a particular cup to achieve the goals and objectives describedabove.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment 28 of the cup 10 wherein anelongated vertically extending window 30 is formed within the side wallportion 12 of the cup 28 for allowing a child, a parent, or other personto view the fluid level of the particular liquid within the cup. Theelongated window 30 can take the form of an elongated slot and ispositioned intermediate the top and bottom portions of the cup at apredetermined location. The length of the viewing window 30 should besufficiently long to allow a person to ascertain the fluid level of theliquid within the cup as the fluid level approaches the bottom portionof the cup. The length of the viewing window 30 will be predeterminedand will be selected based upon the height of the overall cup 28. It isalso recognized and anticipated that the viewing window 30 can likewiseextend into the non-hammered textured portion of the cup 28, ifnecessary. It is also recognized that the hammered textured pattern 22could likewise extend throughout the entire outer surface of the sidewall 12.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment 32 of the presentreusable cup 10 and 28 wherein the viewing window for ascertaining thefluid level of the liquid contained within the cup 32 includes aplurality of vertically extending spaced windows or cut-outs 34 whichare likewise positioned and arranged intermediate the top and bottomportions of the cup at predetermined locations as illustrated in FIG. 3.Each cut-out 34 extends through the side wall 12 and, in the particularembodiment 32, each cut-out or window 34 is configured in the shape of afish. It is recognized and anticipated that the windows 34 can take onany particular shape and/or configuration such as a plurality ofdiamonds, other animal characters and the like. The shape andconfiguration of each window 34 can be selected based upon the age groupof the children for which the present cup 32 is targeted, or the shapecan be selected at random. In this particular embodiment, the fluidlevel of the liquid within the cup will only appear in the spacedwindows 34 located below the actual fluid level within the cup. Theexact location of the fluid level between spaced adjacent windows 34will be unknown if the fluid level is actually located between twospaced windows 34. Nonetheless, depending upon the vertical spacing ofthe plurality of windows 34, ascertaining the fluid level within the cup32 will be sufficiently definite for its intended purpose and itsaccuracy will depend upon the actual spacing between the windows 34.

It is also recognized and anticipated that the vertically extendingspaced windows 34 can be in alignment with each other, or the windows 34can be staggered as shown in FIG. 3. If a staggered arrangement of theplurality of windows 34 is utilized, this staggered arrangement can belocalized within a particular quadrant of the cup 32 as illustrated inFIG. 3, or the windows 34 can be spaced so as to extend both verticallyand horizontally around any arcuate portion of the side wall 12, or theycan extend completely around the circumference of the cup 32. Otherarrangements and variations of the vertically spaced windows 34 arelikewise recognized and anticipated.

FIG. 4 illustrates still another embodiment of the present reusable cupwhich includes an optional gripping member 38 which extends verticallyaround at least a portion of the side wall 12 as best illustrated inFIG. 4. Here again, like the hammered textured surface 22 associatedwith FIGS. 1-3, the gripping member 38 provides additional grippingcapability to a small child when grasping the present cup 38. The member38 can be made of any suitable material such as a rubber or siliconematerial and it can likewise have a textured surface which can includeany plurality of projections, indentations, depressions or otherfeatures which will allow a child to more easily grasp and hold thepresent cup 36. Although silicone grips are known and have been used ondrinking cups, forming the present gripping member 38 over a hammeredtextured outer cup surface such as the hammered textured pattern 22illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 likewise improves the joinder of the grippingmember 38 to the side wall portion 12 of the present cup 36 particularlysince the cup 36 is primarily made of a plastic material. Applying thegripping member 38 over the hammered textured pattern 22 provides for abetter attachment surface and helps to prevent the gripping member 38from sliding off of the annular side wall 12, which event may occur ifthe cup side wall 12 is slick or smooth. In this embodiment, it ispreferred that the gripping member 38 be formed or otherwise attached tothe outer side wall portion 12 of cup 36 over a hammered texturedpattern 22 as shown in FIG. 1 such that the upper edge portion 39 ofgripping member 38 mates flush with the ridge or ledge portion 27 asbest illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is another embodiment 40 of the present cup 36 wherein anelongated vertically extending window 42, similar to window 30, isformed within the side wall portion 12 and through the gripping member38 of cup 40 for allowing a child, parent or other person to view thefluid level of the particular liquid within the cup. As with window 30,the elongated window 40 can likewise take the form of an elongated slotand it is positioned intermediate the top and bottom portions of the cupat a predetermined location. The length of the viewing window 30 canlikewise be sufficiently long to allow a person to ascertain the fluidlevel within the cup 40, as the fluid level approaches the bottomportion of the cup. As with viewing window 30, the length of viewingwindow 42 will be predetermined and will be selected based upon theheight of the overall cup. It is also recognized and anticipated thatthe viewing window 30 can likewise extend into the non-textured portionof the side wall 12 of cup 40, if necessary.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another embodiment 44 of thepresent reusable cups 36 and 40 wherein the viewing window forascertaining the fluid level of the liquid contained within the cup 44includes a plurality of vertically extending spaced windows or cut-outs46 which are likewise positioned and arranged intermediate the top andbottom portions of the cup at a predetermined location as illustrated inFIG. 6. Each cut-out 46 extends through the annular side wall 12 as wellas through the gripping member 38 and, in the particular embodiment 44,each cut-out or window 46 is configured in the shape of a diamond. Likethe cut-outs 34 associated with embodiment 32 illustrated in FIG. 3, itis recognized and anticipated that the windows 46 can take on anyparticular shape and/or configuration based upon the targeted age groupof the children or other criteria. It is also recognized and anticipatedthat the vertically spaced windows 46 can be either in alignment witheach other, or such windows can be staggered as shown in FIG. 6. If astaggered arrangement is utilized, this staggered arrangement can belocalized within a particular quadrant of the cup 44 as illustrated inFIG. 6, or the windows 46 can be spaced so as to extend both verticallyand horizontally around any arcuate portion of the side wall 12 andthrough the gripping member 38, or the windows 46 can extend completelyaround the circumference of the cup 44. Other arrangements andvariations of the vertically spaced windows 46 are likewise recognizedand anticipated.

FIG. 7 illustrates still another embodiment 48 of the present cup 10wherein the cup 44 includes an anti-roll feature in the form of a flaredbottom or flange 50 which extends beyond the outer perimeter of thebottom end portion 14 of the cup as illustrated in FIG. 7. The flange 50can take on any shape or configuration and extends a sufficient distancebeyond the annular side wall 12 of the cup 48 at its bottom end portion14. The flared bottom portion 50 provides an increased footprint andsurface area for resting the cup 48 on a supporting surface. Thisresults in greater stability when the cup 48 is positioned in itsupright position and the extended flange 50 helps to prevent accidentalspillage due to a child inadvertently bumping against or knocking overthe cup 48 when it is placed within reach of a child. The greater thedistance that the flange 50 extends outwardly away from the annular sidewall 12 of the cup 48, the more tolerance the cup 48 will have to beinginadvertently knocked over due to the moving arms of a small child. Theflange 50 also functions to prevent the cup 48 from rolling off atabletop or other surface and impacting the floor if the cup is, infact, tipped over.

It is recognized and anticipated that the flared bottom or flange 50associated with the present cup 48 can be utilized on any of theabove-discussed embodiments of the present invention including theembodiments 28, 32, 36, 40 and 44 illustrated in FIGS. 2-6. In thisregard, FIG. 8 illustrates use of the present flared bottom or flange 50on cup embodiment 40 illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates still another embodiment 52 of the present cup 10wherein a slide-on gripping member 54 in the form of a sleeve is shapedand dimensioned so as to slide over the hammered textured pattern 22 ofcup 10 so as to yield the same look and feel of grip member 38illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 and 8. In this particular embodiment, thegripping member 54 is a slide-on sleeve which can be easily slidablyinsertable over the hammered textured pattern 22 of cup 10 whenadditional gripping capability is needed, and the slide-on sleeve 54 canbe easily removed from cup 10 and separated therefrom when the cup isready for washing either by hand or when placed in a conventionaldishwasher. In this regard, the sleeve 54 can be separately hand-washedand, depending upon the material used, may likewise be placed in adishwasher for additional cleaning. The gripping member 54 can include atextured surface as previously explained with respect to gripping member38 as well as any of the various viewing windows discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 5 and 6 such as an elongated vertically extendingwindow 42, or a plurality of vertically extending spaced windows orcut-outs 46 which are likewise positioned and arranged intermediate thetop and bottom portions of the gripping member sleeve 54 atpredetermined locations. As with the windows or cut-outs 46, it isrecognized and anticipated that the windows 46 can be utilized inconjunction with gripping member 54 and that such windows 46 can take onany particular shape and/or configuration based upon the target agegroup of the children or other criteria. Other arrangements andvariations of the elongated vertically extending window 42 or thevertically extending spaced and/or staggered windows or cut-outs 46 onthe gripping member 54 are likewise recognized and anticipated.

Importantly, the slide-on gripping sleeve member 54 includes an annularwall thickness compatible with the ridge or ledge portion 27 associatedwith cup 10 such that when the gripping sleeve member 54 is slidablyengaged with the hammered textured pattern 22 of cup 10, the upper edgeportion 56 of gripping member 54 will mate with and abut the ridgeportion 27 such that the outer surface of the gripping member 54 willlie flush with the outer surface of the smooth upper portion 13 ofannular side wall portion 12. The ridge or ledge portion 27 is createdto receive the slide-on gripping member 54 when engaged therewith. Onceengaged with cup 10, the slide-on gripping member 54 functions in allrespects substantially similar to the various gripping members 38discussed above. As previously explained, inserting the gripping member54 over the hammered textured pattern 22 provides for a betterattachment surface and helps to prevent the gripping member 54 fromsliding off of the annular side wall 12. This feature providesadditional gripping capability to a small child when grasping thepresent cup 10 if the hammered textured surface 22 does not providesufficient gripping capability for that particular child.

All of the embodiments of the present cup illustrated above are uniquelystructured for use in the commercial food service environment such asfor use by restaurants for serving young children. The present cupslikewise have applicable use in the home environment. Other uses andapplications are likewise envisioned and anticipated.

Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novelreusable children's drinking cup which fulfills all of the objects andadvantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations andother uses and applications of the present invention will, however,become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering thisspecification and the accompanying drawings. All such drawings,modifications, variations and other uses and application which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed tobe covered by the present invention which is limited only by the claimswhich follow.

1. A drinking cup comprising: an annular side wall portion, a bottomwall portion, and an upper portion, said upper portion including anopening providing access to the cavity of the cup and an upper lipportion; and at least a portion of the outer surface of said annularside wall portion including a hammered textured pattern.
 2. The drinkingcup defined in claim 1 wherein said upper lip is shaped and configuredso as to be compatible with any one of a plurality of lid members whichcan be attached to the drinking cup to contain the contents receivedtherewithin.
 3. The drinking cup defined in claim 1 including at leastone window formed within said annular side wall portion for allowing aperson to view the fluid level of the particular liquid within thedrinking cup.
 4. The drinking cup defined in claim 3 wherein said atleast one window includes an elongated vertically extending windowpositioned intermediate the upper and bottom portions of the cup at apredetermined location.
 5. The drinking cup defined in claim 4 whereinsaid elongated vertically extending window is in the form of anelongated slot.
 6. The drinking cup defined in claim 3 wherein said atleast one window includes a plurality of vertically extending spacedcut-outs positioned and arranged intermediate the upper and bottomportions of the cup at predetermined locations therebetween on saidannular side wall portion.
 7. The drinking cup defined in claim 6wherein each cut-out is configured in the shape of a fish.
 8. Thedrinking cup defined in claim 6 wherein each cut-out is configured inthe shape of a diamond.
 9. The drinking cup defined in claim 6 whereinthe plurality of vertically extending spaced cut-outs are staggeredvertically on the annular side wall portion.
 10. The drinking cupdefined in claim 6 wherein the plurality of vertically extending spacedcut-outs are vertically positioned in alignment with each other.
 11. Thedrinking cup defined in claim 1 including a gripping member extendingvertically around at least a portion of the annular side wall portion ofthe cup, said gripping member being positioned over at least a portionof the hammered textured pattern.
 12. The drinking cup defined in claim11 wherein said gripping member includes silicone.
 13. The drinking cupdefined in claim 11 including at least one viewing window forascertaining the fluid level of the liquid contained within cup.
 14. Thedrinking cup defined in claim 13 wherein said at least one viewingwindow includes an elongated vertically extending window.
 15. Thedrinking cup defined in claim 13 wherein said at least one viewingwindow includes a plurality of vertically extending spaced windowspositioned and arranged intermediate the upper and bottom portions ofthe cup at predetermined locations therebetween.
 16. The drinking cupdefined in claim 13 wherein said at least one viewing window includes aplurality of vertically extending spaced windows positioned intermediatethe upper and bottom portions of the cup at predetermined locationstherebetween.
 17. The drinking cup defined in claim 1 including a flaredbottom portion associated with said bottom wall portion.
 18. Thedrinking cup defined in claim 1 including a ridge portion separating thehammered textured pattern from the untextured portion of the annularside wall portion.
 19. The drinking cup defined in claim 1 including aslide-on gripping member extending vertically around at least a portionof the annular side wall portion of the cup and over at least a portionof the hammered textured pattern, said slide-on gripping member beingremovably engageable with said drinking cup.
 20. The drinking cupdefined in claim 19 including a ridge portion separating the hammeredtextured pattern from the untextured portion of the annular side wallportion, one edge portion of said slide-on gripping member abutting saidridge portion.
 21. A drinking cup comprising: an annular side wallportion, a bottom wall portion, and an upper portion, said upper portionincluding an opening providing access to the cavity of the cup; agripping member extending vertically around at least a portion of saidannular side wall portion; and at least one viewing window forascertaining the fluid level of the liquid contained within the cup,said at least one viewing window being positioned intermediate the upperand bottom portions of the cup at a predetermined location therebetween.22. The drinking cup defined in claim 21 wherein said at least oneviewing window includes an elongated vertically extending window. 23.The drinking cup defined in claim 21 wherein said at least one viewingwindow includes a plurality of vertically extending spaced cut-outspositioned and arranged intermediate the upper and bottom portions ofthe cup at predetermined locations therebetween.
 24. The drinking cupdefined in claim 21 including a flared flange associated with saidbottom wall portion, said flared flange extending beyond the outerparameter of the bottom wall portion of the cup.
 25. The drinking cupdefined in claim 21 wherein said gripping member is removably attachableto at least a portion of said annular side wall portion.
 26. A drinkingcup for use by children comprising: an annular side wall portion, abottom wall portion, and an upper portion, said upper portion includingan opening providing access to the cavity of the cup and an upper lipportion, said upper lip portion being shaped and configured so as to becompatible with any one of a plurality of lid members which can beattached to the cup to contain the contents received therewithin; atleast a portion of the outer surface of said annular side wall portionincluding a hammered textured pattern; and at least one viewing windowextending through said annular side wall portion for ascertaining thefluid level of the liquid contained within the cup, said at least oneviewing window being positioned intermediate the upper and bottomportions of the cup at a particular location therebetween.
 27. Thedrinking cup defined in claim 26 wherein said at least one viewingwindow includes an elongated vertically extending window.
 28. Thedrinking cup defined in claim 26 wherein said at least one viewingwindow includes a plurality of vertically extending spaced windowspositioned intermediate the upper and bottom portions of the cup atpredetermined locations therebetween on said annular side wall portion.29. The drinking cup defined in claim 28 wherein said plurality ofvertically extending spaced windows are positioned vertically inalignment with each other.
 30. The drinking cup defined in claim 26wherein said plurality of vertically extending spaced windows arepositioned in staggered arrangement relative to each other.
 31. Thedrinking cup defined in claim 26 including a gripping member extendingvertically around at least a portion of said annular side wall portion,said at least one viewing window extending through said gripping member.32. The drinking cup defined in claim 26 including a flared bottomportion.
 33. The drinking cup defined in claim 31 wherein said grippingmember is removably attachable to at least a portion of said annularside wall portion.
 34. The drinking cup defined in claim 33 including aridge portion separating the hammered textured portion from theremaining portion of the annular aide wall portion, one end portion ofsaid gripping member abutting said ridge portion when said grippingmember is removably attached to at least a portion of said annular sidewall portion.